I. noun(pluralgallowsorgallowses)Etymology: Middle English galwes, plural of galwe, from Old English galga, gealga; akin to Old Norse gelgja pole, stake, Armenian jałk twigDate: before 12th century1.a. a frame usually of two upright posts and a transverse beam from which criminals are hanged — called also gallows treeb. the punishment of hanging
2. a structure consisting of an upright frame with a crosspiece
3.suspender 2a
II. adjectiveDate: 15th century
deserving the gallows

gallows — has been treated since the 16c as a singular noun, with a (rarely used) plural gallowses. Gallows humour means ‘grim and ironical humour’ … Modern English usage

gallows — ► PLURAL NOUN (usu. treated as sing. ) 1) a structure consisting of two uprights and a crosspiece, used for hanging a person. 2) (the gallows) execution by hanging. ORIGIN Old English … English terms dictionary

Gallows — A gallows is a frame, typically wooden, used for execution by hanging.A gallows can take several forms. The simplest form (as often used in the game Hangman ) resembles an inverted L , with a single upright and a horizontal beam to which the rope … Wikipedia